Dr. Githinji Gitahi acknowledged that the award was emotional because of the many CBOs that had been represented in the NGO Awards 2024. The NGO Awards CEO of the year has won many awards in more than a decade. 

However this one was special because of the acknowledgement of the many NGOs that have been improving lives and impacting communities. He said that after his long stint at the helm of Amref, he was contemplating his retirement to pave way for others. 

Dr. Gitahi is confident that he has raised capable people to take over from him.

The medical doctor joined AMREF in 2015 having led other organizations successfully. He serves as AMREF’s Global Chief Executive Officer. Prior to working in AMREF he worked at Smile Train International, Monitor Publications in Uganda, Nation Media Group, GlaxoSmithKline and Avenue Group.

His pedigree has seen him earn a seat on various boards of venerated organizations such as Safaricom Foundation, Standard Group. He’s also served in the Africa Union Commission on Africa’s COVID-19 response.